WO1995002697A1

WO1995002697A1 - Defective adenovirus vectors and use thereof in gene therapy

Info

Publication number: WO1995002697A1
Application number: PCT/FR1994/000851
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Perricaudet; Emmanuelle Vigne; Patrice Yeh
Original assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Rorer S.A.
Priority date: 1993-07-13
Filing date: 1994-07-08
Publication date: 1995-01-26
Also published as: HU216871B; SK282843B6; EP0667912B1; JPH08501703A; NO950939D0; EP0667912A1; SK31295A3; NZ269156A; NO321309B1; HU9500732D0; RU2219241C2; CA2144040A1; BR9405507A; CN1113390A; CZ63995A3; PL179877B1; JP4190028B2; KR100356615B1; DK0667912T3; HUT72558A

Abstract

Novel adenovirus-derived viral vectors, the preparation thereof, and the use thereof in gene therapy, are disclosed.

Description

DEFECTIVE ADENOVIRAL VECTORS AND USE IN GENE THERAPY

The present invention relates to new viral vectors, their preparation and their use in gene therapy. It also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said viral vectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to recombinant adenoviruses as vectors for gene therapy.

Gene therapy consists of correcting a deficiency or an abnormality (mutation, aberrant expression, etc.) by introducing genetic information into the affected cell or organ. This genetic information can be introduced either in vitro into a cell extracted from the organ, the modified cell then being reintroduced into the organism, or directly in vivo into the appropriate tissue. In this second case, different techniques exist, among which various transfection techniques involving complexes of DNA and DEAE-dextran (Pagano et al., J. Virol. 1 (1967) 891), of DNA and proteins nuclear (Kaneda et al., Science 243 (1989) 375), DNA and lipids (Felgner et al., PNAS 84 (1987) 7413), the use of liposomes (Fraley et al., J. Biol. Chem. 255 (1980) 10431), etc. More recently, the use of viruses as vectors for gene transfer has emerged as a promising alternative to these physical transfection techniques. In this regard, different viruses have been tested for their ability to infect certain cell populations. In particular, retroviruses (RSV, HMS, MMS, etc.), the HSV virus, adeno-associated viruses, and adenoviruses.

Among these viruses, adenoviruses have certain properties of interest for use in gene therapy. In particular, they have a fairly broad host spectrum, are capable of infecting quiescent cells, do not integrate into the genome of the infected cell, and have not been associated to date with significant pathologies in man.

Adenoviruses are linear double-stranded DNA viruses approximately 36 kb in size. Their genome includes in particular a repeated inverted sequence (ITR) at their end, an encapsidation sequence, early genes and late genes (see FIG. 1). The main early genes are the El (Ela and Elb), E2, E3 and

E4. The main late genes are the L1 to L5 genes.

Given the properties of the adenoviruses mentioned above, these have already been used for gene transfer in vivo. To this end, different vectors derived from adenoviruses have been prepared, incorporating different genes (β-gal, OTC, α-1AT, cytokines, etc.). In each of these constructions, the adenovirus was modified so as to render it incapable of replication in the infected cell. Thus, the constructs described in the prior art are adenoviruses deleted from the El (Ela and / or Elb) and possibly E3 regions into which the heterologous DNA sequences are inserted (Levrero et al., Gene 101 (1991) 195 ; Gosh-Choudhuiy et al., Gene 50 (1986) 161). However, the vectors described in the prior art have many drawbacks which limit their use in gene therapy. In particular, all of these vectors contain numerous viral genes whose expression in vivo is undesirable in the context of gene therapy. In addition, these vectors do not allow the incorporation of very large DNA fragments, which may be necessary for certain applications.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks. The present invention indeed describes recombinant adenoviruses for gene therapy, capable of efficiently transferring DNA (up to 30 kb) in vivo, of expressing this DNA at high levels and in a stable manner in vivo, limiting any risk of viral protein production, virus transmission, pathogenicity, etc. In particular, it has been found that it is possible to considerably reduce the size of the adenovirus genome, without preventing the formation of an encapsidated viral particle. This is surprising since it has been observed in the case of other viruses, for example retroviruses, that certain sequences distributed along the genome were necessary for efficient packaging of the viral particles. As a result, the production of vectors having large internal deletions was greatly limited. The present invention also shows that the deletion of most of the viral genes does not prevent the formation of such a viral particle either. In addition, the recombinant adenoviruses thus obtained retain, despite significant modifications to their genomic structure, their advantageous properties of high infectivity, stability in vivo, etc.

The vectors of the invention are particularly advantageous since they allow the incorporation of very large desired DNA sequences. It is thus possible to insert a gene with a length greater than 30 kb. This is particularly interesting for certain pathologies whose treatment requires the co-expression of several genes, or the expression of very large genes. So by example, in the case of muscular dystrophy, it was not possible until now to transfer the cDNA corresponding to the native gene responsible for this pathology (dystrophin gene) due to its large size (14 kb).

The vectors of the invention are also very advantageous since they have very few functional viral regions and because, therefore, the risks inherent in the use of viruses as vectors in gene therapy such as immunogenicity, pathogenicity, transmission, replication, recombination, etc. are greatly reduced or even eliminated.

The present invention thus provides viral vectors particularly suitable for the transfer and expression in vivo of desired DNA sequences.

A first object of the present invention therefore relates to a defective recombinant adenovirus comprising:

- ITR sequences,

- a sequence allowing the encapsidation, - a heterologous DNA sequence, and in which:

- the El gene is non-functional and

- at least one of the E2, E4, L1-L5 genes is non-functional.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term “defective adenovirus” designates an adenovirus incapable of replicating autonomously in the target cell. Generally, the genome of the defective adenoviruses according to the present invention is therefore devoid of at least the sequences necessary for replication of said virus in the infected cell. These regions can be either eliminated (in whole or in part), or made non-functional, or substituted by other sequences and in particular by the heterologous DNA sequence.

The inverted repeat sequences (ITR) constitute the origin of replication of adenoviruses. They are located at the 3 ′ and 5 ′ ends of the viral genome (cf. FIG. 1), from which they can be easily isolated according to the conventional techniques of molecular biology known to those skilled in the art. The nucleotide sequence of the ITR sequences of human adenoviruses (in particular the Ad2 and Ad5 serotypes) is described in the literature, as well as canine adenoviruses (in particular CAV1 and CAV2). As regards the Ad5 adenovirus, for example, the left ITR sequence corresponds to the region comprising nucleotides 1 to 103 of the genome.

The packaging sequence (also called Psi sequence) is necessary for the packaging of viral DNA. This region must therefore be present to allow the preparation of defective recombinant adenoviruses according to the invention. The packaging sequence is located in the genome of the adenoviruses, between the left 1TTR (5 ′) and the El gene (see FIG. 1). It can be isolated or artificially synthesized by conventional molecular biology techniques. The nucleotide sequence of the packaging sequence of human adenoviruses (in particular the Ad2 and Ad5 serotypes) is described in the literature, as well as canine adenoviruses (in particular CAV1 and CAV2). With regard to the Ad5 adenovirus, for example, the packaging sequence corresponds to the region comprising nucleotides 194 to 358 of the genome.

There are different serotypes of adenovirus, the structure and properties of which vary somewhat. However, these viruses have a comparable genetic organization, and the lessons described in the present application can be easily reproduced by a person skilled in the art for any type of adenovirus.

The adenoviruses of the invention can be of human, animal, or mixed (human and animal) origin. Concerning adenoviruses of human origin, it is preferred to use those classified in group C. More preferably, among the various serotypes of human adenovirus, it is preferred to use, within the framework of the present invention, adenoviruses of type 2 or 5 (Ad 2 or Ad 5).

As indicated above, the adenoviruses of the invention can also be of animal origin, or contain sequences derived from adenoviruses of animal origin. The Applicant has indeed shown that adenoviruses of animal origin are capable of infecting human cells with great efficiency, and that they are unable to propagate in the human cells in which they have been tested (see request FR 93 05954). The Applicant has also shown that adenoviruses of animal origin are in no way trans-complemented by adenoviruses of human origin, which eliminates any risk of recombination and of propagation in vivo, in the presence of a human adenovirus, which can lead to the formation of an infectious particle. The use of adenoviruses or adenovirus regions of animal origin is therefore particularly advantageous since the risks inherent in the use of viruses as vectors in gene therapy are even lower.

The adenoviruses of animal origin which can be used in the context of the present invention can be of canine, bovine, murine origin (example: Mavl, Beard et al., Virology 75 (1990) 81), ovine, porcine, avian or else simienne (example: after-sales service). More particularly, among the avian adenoviruses, mention may be made of serotypes 1 to 10 accessible to ATCC, such as for example the strains Phelps (ATCC VR-432), Fontes (ATCC VR-280), P7-A (ATCC VR- 827), IBH-2A (ATCC VR-828), J2-A (ATCC VR-829), T8-A (ATCC VR-830), K-ll (ATCC VR-921) or the strains referenced ATCC VR- 831 to 835. Among the bovine adenoviruses, it is possible to use the various known serotypes, and in particular those available at ATCC (types 1 to 8) under the references ATCC VR-313, 314, 639-642, 768 and 769. It is possible to use also mention the murine adenoviruses FL (ATCC VR-550) and E20308 (ATCC VR-528), the sheep adenovirus type 5 (ATCC VR-1343), or type 6 (ATCC VR-1340); porcine adenovirus 5359), or simian adenoviruses such as in particular adenoviruses referenced in the ATCC under the numbers VR-591-594, 941-943, 195-203, etc.

Preferably, among the various adenoviruses of animal origin, adenoviruses or adenovirus regions of canine origin are used in the context of the invention, and in particular all the strains of the CAV2 adenoviruses [Manhattan strain or

A26 / 61 (ATCC VR-800) for example]. Canine adenoviruses have been the subject of

- numerous structural studies. Thus, complete restriction maps of the CAV1 and CAV2 adenoviruses have been described in the prior art (Spibey et al., J. Gen.

Virol. 70 (1989) 165), and the Ela, E3 genes and the ITR sequences were cloned and sequenced (see in particular Spibey et al., Virus Res. 14 (1989) 241; Linné, Virus Res. 23 (1992) 119 , WO 91/11525).

As indicated above, the adenoviruses of the present invention comprise a heterologous DNA sequence. The heterologous DNA sequence designates any DNA sequence introduced into the recombinant virus, the transfer and / or expression of which in the target cell is sought.

In particular, the heterologous DNA sequence may contain one or more therapeutic genes and / or one or more genes coding for antigenic peptides. The therapeutic genes which can thus be transferred are any gene whose transcription and possibly translation into the target cell generate products having a therapeutic effect.

They may in particular be genes coding for protein products having a therapeutic effect. The protein product thus coded can be a protein, a peptide, an amino acid, etc. This protein product can be homologous with respect to the target cell (that is to say a product which is normally expressed in the target cell when the latter presents no pathology). In this case, the expression of a protein makes it possible, for example, to compensate for an insufficient expression in the cell or the expression of an inactive or weakly active protein due to modification, or even to overexpress said protein. The therapeutic gene can also code for a mutant of a cellular protein, having increased stability, modified activity, etc. The protein product can also be heterologous towards the target cell.

In this case, an expressed protein can for example supplement or provide a deficient activity in the cell allowing it to fight against a pathology.

Among the therapeutic products within the meaning of the present invention, there may be mentioned more particularly enzymes, blood derivatives, hormones, lymphokines: interleukins, interferons, TNF, etc. (FR 9203120), growth factors, neurotransmitters or their precursors or synthetic enzymes, trophic factors: BDNF, CNTF, NGF, IGF, GMF, aFGF, bFGF, NT3, NT5, etc; apolipoproteins: ApoAI, ApoAIV, ApoE, etc (FR 93 05125), dystrophin or a minidystrophin (FR 9111947), tumor suppressor genes: p53, Rb, Rapl A, DCC, k-rev, etc (FR 93 04745 ), genes coding for factors involved in coagulation: Vu Factors, VO, IX, etc.

The therapeutic gene can also be an antisense gene or sequence, the expression of which in the target cell makes it possible to control the expression of genes or the transcription of cellular mRNAs. Such sequences can for example be transcribed, in the target cell, into RNAs complementary to cellular mRNAs and thus block their translation into protein, according to the technique described in patent EP 140308.

As indicated above, the heterologous DNA sequence may also contain one or more genes coding for an antigenic peptide capable of generating an immune response in humans. In this particular mode of implementation, the invention therefore makes it possible to produce vaccines making it possible to immunize humans, especially against microorganisms or viruses. These may in particular be antigenic peptides specific for the epstein barr virus, the HIN virus, the hepatitis B virus (EP 185 573), the pseudo-rabies virus, or even specific for tumors (EP 259 212).

Generally, the heterologous DNA sequence also comprises sequences allowing the expression of the therapeutic gene and / or of the gene coding for the antigenic peptide in the infected cell. These may be sequences which are naturally responsible for the expression of the gene considered when these sequences are capable of functioning in the infected cell. It can also be sequences of different origin (responsible for the expression of other proteins, or even synthetic). In particular, they may be promoter sequences of eukaryotic or viral genes. For example, they may be promoter sequences originating from the genome of the cell which it is desired to infect. Likewise, they may be promoter sequences originating from the genome of a virus, including the adenovirus used. In this regard, mention may be made, for example, of promoters of the El A, MLP, CMN, RSN, etc. genes. In addition, these expression sequences can be modified by adding activation, regulation sequences, etc. Furthermore, when the inserted gene does not contain expression sequences, it can be inserted into the genome of the defective virus downstream of such a sequence. Furthermore, the heterologous DNA sequence may also comprise, in particular upstream of the therapeutic gene, a signal sequence directing the therapeutic product synthesized in the secretory pathways of the target cell. This signal sequence may be the natural signal sequence of the therapeutic product, but it may also be any other functional signal sequence, or an artificial signal sequence.

As indicated above, the vectors of the invention have at least one of the non-functional E2, E4, L1-L5 genes. The viral gene considered can be made non-functional by any technique known to a person skilled in the art, and in particular by deletion, substitution, deletion, or addition of one or more bases in the gene or genes considered. Such modifications can be obtained in vitro (on isolated DNA) or in situ, for example, using genetic engineering techniques, or alternatively by treatment with mutagenic agents.

Among the mutagenic agents, mention may be made, for example, of physical agents such as energy radiation (X-rays, g, ultra violet, etc.), or agents chemicals capable of reacting with different functional groups of DNA bases, and for example alkylating agents [ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS), N-methyl- N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, N-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (NQO )], bialkylating agents, intercalating agents, etc. By deletion is meant within the meaning of the invention any deletion of the gene considered. It may especially be all or part of the coding region of said gene, and / or all or part of the region promoting the transcription of said gene. The deletion can be carried out by digestion using appropriate restriction enzymes, then ligation, according to standard molecular biology techniques, as illustrated in the examples.

Genetic modifications can also be obtained by gene disruption, for example according to the protocol initially described by Rothstein [Meth. Enzymol. Q ± (1983) 202]. In this case, all or part of the coding sequence is preferably disturbed to allow replacement, by homologous recombination, of the genomic sequence with a non-functional or mutant sequence.

The said genetic modification (s) may be located in the coding part of the gene concerned, or outside the coding region, and for example in the regions responsible for the expression and / or transcriptional regulation of said genes. The non-functional character of said genes can therefore be manifested by the production of an inactive protein due to structural or conformational modifications, by the absence of production, by the production of a protein having an altered activity, or by the production of the natural protein at an attenuated level or according to a desired mode of regulation. In addition, certain alterations such as point mutations are by their nature capable of being corrected or attenuated by cellular mechanisms. Such genetic alterations are therefore of limited interest at the industrial level. It is therefore particularly preferred that the non-functional character be perfectly stable segregationally and / or non-reversible. . Preferably, the gene is non-functional due to a partial or total deletion.

Preferably, the defective recombinant adenoviruses of the invention are devoid of late adenovirus genes.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention consists of a defective recombinant adenovirus comprising: - ITR sequences,

- a sequence allowing the packaging,

- a heterologous DNA sequence, and

- a region carrying the gene or part of the E2 gene. Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention consists of a defective recombinant adenovirus comprising:

- ITR sequences,

- a sequence allowing the packaging,

- a heterologous DNA sequence, and - a region carrying the gene or part of the E4 gene.

Still in a particularly advantageous mode, the vectors of the invention also have a functional E3 gene under the control of a heterologous promoter. More preferably, the vectors have a part of the E3 gene allowing the expression of the protein gpl9K.

The defective recombinant adenoviruses according to the invention can be prepared in different ways.

A first method consists in transfecting the DNA of the defective recombinant virus prepared in vitro (either by ligation or in the form of a plasmid) in a competent cell line, that is to say carrying in trans all the functions necessary for complementation of the defective virus. These functions are preferably integrated into the genome of the cell, which makes it possible to avoid the risks of recombination, and confers increased stability on the cell line. The preparation of such cell lines is described in the examples.

A second approach consists in co-transfecting into a suitable cell line the DNA of the defective recombinant virus prepared in vitro (either by ligation or in the form of a plasmid) and the DNA of a helper virus. According to this method, it is not necessary to have a competent cell line capable of complementing all the defective functions of the recombinant adenovirus. Part of these functions is indeed complemented by the helper virus. This helper virus must itself be defective and the cell line carries in trans the functions necessary for its complementation. The preparation of defective recombinant adenoviruses of the invention according to this method is also illustrated in the examples. Among the cell lines which can be used in the context of this second approach, there may be mentioned in particular the human embryonic kidney line 293, KB cells, Hela cells, MDCK, GHK, etc. (cf. examples).

Then, the vectors which have multiplied are recovered, purified and amplified according to conventional techniques of molecular biology.

The present invention therefore also relates to cell lines infectable by adenoviruses, comprising, integrated into their genome, the functions necessary for the complementation of a defective recombinant adenovirus as described above. In particular, it relates to cell lines comprising, integrated into their genome, the E1 and E2 regions (in particular the region coding for the protein 72K), and or E4 and / or the glucocorticoid receptor gene. Preferably, these lines are obtained from line 293 or gm DBP6.

The present invention also relates to any pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more defective recombinant adenoviruses as described above. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be formulated for topical, oral, parenteral, intranasal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraocular, transdermal, etc. administration.

Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition contains pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles for an injectable formulation. H can be, in particular, saline solutions (monosodium phosphate, disodium, sodium chloride, potassium, calcium or magnesium, etc., or mixtures of such salts), sterile, isotonic, or dry compositions, in particular lyophilized, which , by addition, as appropriate, of sterilized water or physiological saline, allow the constitution of injectable solutes.

The doses of virus used for the injection can be adapted according to various parameters, and in particular according to the mode of administration used, the pathology concerned, the gene to be expressed, or even the duration of the treatment sought. In general, the recombinant adenoviruses according to the invention are formulated and administered in the form of doses of between 10 ⁴ and 10 ¹⁴ pfu / ml, and preferably 10 ⁶ to 10 ¹⁰ pfu / ml. The term pfu ("plaque forming unit") corresponds to the infectious power of a virus solution, and is determined by infection of an appropriate cell culture, and measures, generally after 5 days, the number of ranges of infected cells. The techniques for determining the pfu titer of a viral solution are well documented in the literature.

Depending on the heterologous DNA sequence inserted, the adenoviruses of the invention can be used for the treatment or prevention of many pathologies, including genetic diseases (dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, etc.), neurogenerative diseases (alzheimer, parkinson, ALS , etc.), cancers, pathologies linked to coagulation disorders or dyslipoproteinemias, pathologies linked to viral infections (hepatitis, AIDS, etc.), etc.

The present invention will be more fully described with the aid of the following examples, which should be considered as illustrative and not limiting.

Legend of figures

Figure 1: Genetic organization of the Ad5 adenovirus. The complete sequence of Ad5 is available on the database and allows those skilled in the art to select or create any restriction site, and thus to isolate any region of the genome. Figure 2: Restriction map of the CAV2 adenovirus strain Manhattan (from

Spibey et al supra).

Figure 3: Construction of defective viruses of the invention by ligation.

Figure 4: Construction of a recombinant virus carrying the E4 gene.

Figure 5: Construction of a recombinant virus carrying the E2 gene. Figure 6: Construction and representation of the plasmid pPY32.

Figure 7: Representation of the plasmid pPY55.

Figure 8: Representation of the plasmid p2.

Figure 9: Representation of the intermediate plasmid used for the construction of the plasmid pITRL5-E4. Figure 10: Representation of the plasmid pITRL5-E4.

General molecular biology techniques

Methods conventionally used in molecular biology such as preparative extractions of plasmid DNA, centrifugation of plasmid DNA in cesium chloride gradient, electrophoresis on agarose or acrylamide gels, purification of DNA fragments by electroelution, extraction of proteins with phenol or phenol-chloroform, precipitation of DNA in a saline medium with ethanol or isopropanol, transformation in Escherichia coli, etc. are well known to those skilled in the art and are abundantly described in the literature [Maniatis T. et al., "Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual ", Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 1982; Ausubel FM et al. (eds), "Current Protocols in Molecular Biology", John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1987].

The pBR322, pUC and phage plasmids of the M13 series are of commercial origin (Bethesda Research Laboratories).

For the ligations, the DNA fragments can be separated according to their size by electrophoresis in agarose or acrylamide gels, extracted with phenol or with a phenol / chloroform mixture, precipitated with ethanol and then incubated in the presence of the DNA ligase from phage T4 (Biolabs) according to the supplier's recommendations.

The filling of the protruding 5 ′ ends can be carried out by the Klenow fragment of DNA Polymerase I of E. coli (Biolabs) according to the supplier's specifications. The destruction of the protruding 3 ′ ends is carried out in the presence of the DNA polymerase of phage T4 (Biolabs) used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The destruction of the protruding 5 ′ ends is carried out by gentle treatment with nuclease SI.

Mutagenesis directed in vitro by synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides can be carried out according to the method developed by Taylor et al. [Nucleic Acids Res. 12 (1985) 8749-8764] using the kit distributed by Amersham.

Enzymatic amplification of DNA fragments by the so-called PCR technique

[Eolymerase-catalyzed £ hate _. Reaction, Saiki RK et al., Science 230 (1985) 1350-

1354; Mullis K.B. and Faloona F.A., Meth. Εnzym. 155 (1987) 335-350] can be performed using a "DNA thermal cycler" (Perkin Elmer Cetus) according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Verification of the nucleotide sequences can be carried out by the method developed by Sanger et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74 (1977) 5463-5467] using the kit distributed by Amersham.

Cell lines used

In the following examples, the following cell lines have or can be used:

- Human embryonic kidney line 293 (Graham et al., J. Gen. Virol. 36 (1977) 59). This line contains in particular, integrated into its genome, the left part of the genome of the human adenovirus Ad5 (12%). - Human cell line KB: From a human epidermal carcinoma, this line is accessible to the ATCC (ref. CCL17) as well as the conditions allowing its culture.

- Human cell line Hela: From a carcinoma of the human epithelium, this line is accessible to the ATCC (ref. CCL2) as well as the conditions allowing its culture.

- MDCK canine cell line: The culture conditions for MDCK cells have been described in particular by Macatney et al., Science 44 (1988) 9.

- gm DBP6 cell line (Brough et al., Virology 190 (1992) 624). This line consists of Hela cells carrying the E2 gene of adenovirus under the control of the LTR of MMTV.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

This example demonstrates the feasibility of a recombinant adenovirus lacking most of the viral genes. For this, a series of deletion mutants in the adenovirus was constructed by in vitro ligation, and each of these mutants was co-transfected with a helper virus in the KB cells. These cells do not allow the propagation of viruses defective for E1, the transcomplementation relates to the E1 region. The various deletion mutants were prepared from the adenovirus

Ad5 by digestion then ligation in vitro. For this, the Ad5 viral DNA is isolated according to the technique described by Lipp et al. (J. Virol. 63 (1989) 5133), subjected to digestion in the presence of different restriction enzymes (cf. FIG. 3), then the digestion product is ligated in the presence of T4 DNA ligase. The size of the various deletion mutants is then checked on 0.8% SDS agarose gel. These mutants are then mapped (see FIG. 3). These different mutants include the following regions: mtl: Ligation between the fragments of Ad5 0-20642 (SauI) and (SauI) 33797-35935 mt2: Ligation between the fragments of Ad5 0-19549 (NdeI) and (Ndel) 31089 -35935 mt3: Ligation between Ad5 fragments 0-10754 (AatII) and (AatII) 25915-35935 mt4: Ligation between Ad5 fragments 0-1131 l (MluI) and (MluI) 24392-35935 mt5: Ligation between Ad5 fragments 0-9462 (SalI) and (XhoI) 29791-35935 mt6: Ligation between Ad5 fragments 0-5788 (XhoI) and (XhoI) 29791-35935 mt7: Ligation between Ad5 fragments 0-3665 (SphI) and (Sphl) 31224-35935 Each of the mutants prepared above was co-transfected with the viral DNA of Ad.RSVβGal (Stratford-Perricaudet et al., J. Clin.Invest. 90 (1992) 626) in KB cells, in the presence of phosphate calcium. The cells were harvested 8 days after transfection, and the culture supernatants were harvested and then amplified on KB cells until stocks of 50 dishes were obtained for each transfection. From each sample, the episomal DNA was isolated and separated on a cesium chloride gradient. Two distinct bands of virus were observed in each case, sampled and analyzed. The heaviest corresponds to the viral DNA of Ad.RSVβGal, and the lightest corresponds to the DNA of the recombinant virus generated by ligation (FIG. 3). The titer obtained for the latter is approximately 10 ⁸ pfu / ml.

A second series of deletion mutants in the adenovirus was constructed by in vitro ligation according to the same methodology. These different mutants include the following regions: mt8: Ligation between fragments 0-4623 (Apal) of Ad RSVBGal and (Apal) 31909- 35935 of Ad5. mt9: Ligation between fragments 0-10178 (BglII) of Ad RSVβGal and (BamHI) 21562- 35935 of "Ad5.

These mutants, carrying the LacZ gene under the control of the RSV virus LTR promoter, are then co-transfected in 293 cells in the presence of the viral DNA of H2dl808 (Weinberg et al., J. Virol. 57 (1986) 833) , which is deleted from the E4 region. According to this second technique, the transcomplementation relates to E4 and no longer to El. This technique thus makes it possible to generate, as described above, recombinant viruses possessing only the E4 region as viral gene.

Claim 2

This example describes the preparation of defective recombinant adenoviruses according to the invention by co-transfection, with a helper virus, of the DNA of the recombinant virus incorporated into a plasmid.

For this, a plasmid carrying the adjoining ITRs of Ad5, the packaging sequence, the E4 gene under the control of its own promoter and, as a heterologous gene, the LacZ gene under the control of the LTR promoter of the RSV virus was constructed ( figure 4). This plasmid, designated pE4Gal, was obtained by cloning and ligation of the following fragments (see FIG. 4): - HindIII-SacII fragment from the plasmid pFG144 (Graham et al, EMBO J. 8 (1989) 2077). This fragment carries the ITR sequences of Ad5 head-to-tail and the packaging sequence: Hindiπ fragment (34920) -SacII (352).

- Ad5 fragment between the SacII sites (located at the base pair 3827) and PstI (located at the base pair 4245);

- fragment of pSP 72 (Promega) comprised between the PstI (pb 32) and Sali (pb 34) sites;

- Xhol-Xbal fragment of the plasmid pAdLTR GalLX described in Stratford-Perricaudet et al (JCI 90 (1992) 626). This fragment carries the LacZ gene under the control of the LTR of the RSV virus.

- Xbal fragment (bp 40) - NdeI (bp 2379) of the plasmid pSP 72;

- Ndel fragment (bp 31089) - Hindm (bp 34930) of Ad5. This fragment located in the right end of the Ad5 genome contains the E4 region under the control of its own promoter. It was cloned at the NdeI (2379) sites of the plasmid pSP 72 and HindIII of the first fragment.

This plasmid was obtained by cloning of the different fragments in the regions indicated of the plasmid pSP 72. It is understood that equivalent fragments can be obtained by a person skilled in the art from other sources.

The plasmid pE4Gal is then co-transfected with the DNA of the H2dl808 virus in the 293 cells in the presence of calcium phosphate. The recombinant virus is then prepared as described in Example 1. This virus carries, as the only viral gene, the E4 gene of the adenovirus ^* Ad5 (FIG. 4). Its genome is approximately 12 kb in size, which allows the insertion of very large heterologous DNA (up to 20 kb). Thus, a person skilled in the art can easily replace the LacZ gene with any other therapeutic gene such as those mentioned above. Furthermore, this virus contains certain sequences originating from the plasmid pSP 72, which can be eliminated by conventional molecular biology techniques if necessary.

Example 3

This example describes the preparation of another defective recombinant adenovirus according to the invention by co-transfection, with a helper virus, of the DNA of the recombinant virus incorporated into a plasmid.

For this, a plasmid carrying the adjoining ITRs of Ad5, the packaging sequence, the E2 gene of Ad2 under the control of its own promoter and, as heterologous gene, the LacZ gene under the control of the LTR promoter of the RSV virus was constructed (FIG. 5). This plasmid, designated pE2Gal, was obtained by cloning and ligation of the following fragments (see FIG. 5):

- HindIII-SacII fragment from the plasmid pFG144 (Graham et al, EMBO J. 8 (1989) 2077). This fragment carries the ITR sequences of Ad5 head to tail and the packaging sequence: HindIII fragment (34920) -SacII (352). It was cloned, with the following fragment, at the HindIII (16) - PstI (32) sites of the plasmid pSP 72.

- Ad5 fragment between the SacII sites (located at the base pair 3827) and PstI (located at the base pair 4245). This fragment was cloned at the SacII site of the preceding fragment and at the PstI site (32) of the plasmid pSP 72.

- Xhol-Xbal fragment of the plasmid pAdLTR GalIX described in Stratford-Pemcaudet et al (JCI 90 (1992) 626). This fragment carries the LacZ gene under the control of the LTR of the RSV virus. It was cloned at the SalI (34) and Xbal sites of the plasmid pSP 72.

- fragment of pSP 72 (Promega) between the Xbal (bp 34) and Bamffl (bp 46) sites; - Bamffl fragment (bp 21606) - Smal (bp 27339) of Ad2. This fragment of the Ad2 genome contains the E2 region under the control of its own promoter. It was cloned at the BamHI (46) and EcoRV sites of the plasmid pSP 72.

- EcoRV fragment (bp 81) - HindIII (bp 16) of the plasmid pSP 72.

The pE2Gal plasmid is then co-transfected with the DNA of the H2dl802 virus lacking the E2 region (Rice et al. J. Virol. 56 (1985) 767) in 293 cells, in the presence of calcium phosphate. The recombinant virus is then prepared as described in Example 1. This virus carries, as the only viral gene, the E2 gene of the adenovirus Ad2 (FIG. 5). Its genome is approximately 12 kb in size, which allows the insertion of very large heterologous DNA (up to 20 kb). Thus, a person skilled in the art can easily replace the LacZ gene with any other therapeutic gene such as those mentioned above. In addition, this virus contains certain sequences from the intermediate plasmid, which can be eliminated by conventional molecular biology techniques if necessary.

Example 4

This example describes the construction of complementary cell lines for the E1, E2 and / or E4 regions of the adenoviruses. These lines allow the construction of recombinant adenoviruses according to the invention deleted for these regions, without using a helper virus. These viruses are obtained by recombination in vivo, and can contain important heterologous sequences.

In the cell lines described, the potentially cytotoxic E2 and E4 regions are placed under the control of an inducible promoter: the LTR of MMTV (Pharmacia), which is induced by dexamethasone, either native or the minimal form described in PNAS 90 (1993) 5603; or the system repressible by tetracycline described by Gossen and Bϋjard (PNAS 89 (1992) 5547). It is understood that other promoters can be used, and in particular variants of the LTR of MMTV carrying, for example, heterologous regulatory regions ("enhancer" region in particular). The lines of the invention were constructed by transfection of the corresponding cells, in the presence of calcium phosphate, with a DNA fragment carrying the indicated genes (adenovirus regions and / or glucocorticoid receptor gene) under the control of 'a transcription promoter and a terminator (polyadenylation site). The terminator can be either the natural terminator of the transfected gene, or a different terminator, for example the terminator of the SV40 virus early messenger. Advantageously, the DNA fragment also carries a gene allowing the selection of transformed cells, and for example the gene for resistance to geneticin. The resistance gene can also be carried by a different DNA fragment, co-transfected with the first. After transfection, the transformed cells are selected and their DNA is analyzed to verify the integration of the DNA fragment into the genome. This technique makes it possible to obtain the following cell lines:

1. 293 cells possessing the 72K gene of the E2 region of Ad5 under the control of the LTR of MMTV;

2. 293 cells possessing the 72K gene from the E2 region of Ad5 under the control of the LTR of MMTV and the glucocorticoid receptor gene;

3. 293 cells possessing the 72K gene of the E2 region of Ad5 under the control of the LTR of MMTV and the E4 region under the control of the LTR of MMTV; 4. 293 cells possessing the 72K gene of the E2 region of Ad5 under the control of the LTR of MMTV, the E4 region under the control of the LTR of MMTV, and the gene for the glucocorticoid receptor;

5. 293 cells possessing the E4 region under the control of the LTR of MMTV; 6. 293 cells having the E4 region under the control of the MMTV LTR and the glucocorticoid receptor gene;

7. gm DBP6 cells possessing the El A and E1B regions under the control of their own promoter;

8. gm DBP6 cells possessing the El A and E1B regions under the control of their own promoter and the E4 region under the control of the LTR of MMTV.

Example 5

This example describes the preparation of defective recombinant adenoviruses according to the invention, the genome of which is deleted from the El, E3 and E4 genes. According to an advantageous embodiment, illustrated in this example and in example 3 in particular, the genome of the recombinant adenoviruses of the invention is modified so that the genes E1 and E4 at least are non-functional. First of all, such adenoviruses have a significant capacity for incorporating heterologous genes. Furthermore, these vectors exhibit high security due to the deletion of the E4 region, which is involved in the regulation of the expression of late genes, in the stability of late nuclear RNAs, in the extinction of the expression of host cell proteins and in the efficiency of viral DNA replication. These vectors therefore have very reduced transcription background noise and expression of viral genes. Finally, in a particularly advantageous manner, these vectors can be produced in titles comparable to wild adenoviruses.

These adenoviruses were prepared from the plasmid pPY55, carrying the modified right part of the genome of the adenovirus Ad5, either by co-transfection with a helper plasmid (see also examples 1, 2 and 3), or by means of a complementary line (example 4).

5.1 Construction of the plasmid pPY55

a) Construction of the plasmid pPY32 The Avrll-Bcll fragment of the plasmid pFG144 [FL Graham et al. EMBO J. 8 (1989) 2077-2085], corresponding to the right end of the genome of the adenovirus Ad5, was first cloned between the Xbal and BamHI sites of the vector pIC19H, prepared from a dam context -. This generates the plasmid pPY23. An interesting characteristic of the plasmid pPY23 is that the SalI site originating from the cloning multisite of the vector pIC19H remains unique and that it is located next to the right end of the genome of the Ad5 adenovirus. The Haelϋ-Sall fragment of the plasmid pPY23 which contains the right end of the genome of the adenovirus Ad5, from the Haeiπ site located at position 35614, was then cloned between the EcoRV and Xhol sites of the vector pIC20H, which generates the plasmid pPY29. An interesting characteristic of this plasmid is that the Xbal and ClaI sites originating from the cloning multisite of the vector pIC20H are located next to the EcoRV / Haelϋ junction resulting from the cloning. In addition, this junction modifies the nucleotide context immediately adjacent to the Clal site which has now become methylable in a dam + context. The Xbal (30470) - MaeII (32811) fragment of the Ad5 adenovirus genome was then cloned between the Xbal and ClaI sites of the plasmid pPY29 prepared from a dam context, which generates the plasmid pPY30. The SstI fragment of the plasmid pPY30, which corresponds to the genome sequence of the Ad5 adenovirus from the SstI site at position 30556 to the right end, was finally cloned between the SstI sites of the vector pIC20H, which generates the plasmid pPY31 , a restriction map of the insert located between the HindIII sites is given in Figure 6.

Plasmid pPY32 was obtained after partial digestion of plasmid pPY31 with BglII, followed by total digestion with BamHI, then religation. The plasmid pPY32 therefore corresponds to the deletion of the genome of the Ad5 adenovirus located between the BamHI site of the plasmid pPY31 and the BglII site located at position 30818. A restriction map of the HindIII fragment of the plasmid pPY32 is given in FIG. 6. A characteristic of the plasmid pPY32 is that it has unique SalI and Xbal sites.

b) Construction of the plasmid pPY47

The BamHI (21562) -XbaI (28592) fragment of the Ad5 adenovirus genome was first of all cloned between the BamHI and Xbal sites of the vector plC19H prepared from a dam context, which generates the plasmid pPY17. . This plasmid therefore contains a HindIII (26328) -BglII (28133) fragment of the genome of the adenovirus Ad5, which can be cloned between the HindIII and BglII sites of the vector pIC20R, to generate the plasmid pPY34. A characteristic of this plasmid is that the BamHI site originating from the cloning multisite is located in the immediate vicinity of the HindIII site (26328) of the genome of the Ad5 adenovirus.

The BamffI (21562) -Hindm (26328) fragment of the genome of the Ad5 adenovirus originating from the plasmid pPY17 was then cloned between the BamHI and HindIII sites of the plasmid pPY34, which generates the plasmid pPY39. The BamHI-Xbal fragment of the plasmid pPY39 prepared from a dam- context, containing the part of the genome of the adenovirus Ad5 between the BamHI (21562) and BglII (28133) sites, was then cloned between the Bamffl sites and Xbal of the vector pIC19H prepared from a dam- context. This generates the plasmid pPY47, an interesting characteristic of which is that the SalI site originating from the cloning multisite is located near the HindIII site (FIG. 7).

c) Construction of the plasmid pPY55

The Sall-Xbal fragment of the plasmid pPY47 prepared from a dam-context, and which contains the part of the genome of the Ad5 adenovirus going from the Bamffl site (21562) to the Bgiπ site (28133), was cloned between the SalI and Xbal sites of the plasmid pPY32, which generates the plasmid pPY55. This plasmid is directly usable for obtaining recombinant adenoviruses at least deleted for the E3 region (deletion between the BglII sites located at positions 28133 and 30818 of the genome of the Ad5 adenovirus) and for the E4 region in its entirety (deletion between the Maeïï (32811) and Haem (35614) sites of the Ad5 adenovirus genome (FIG. 7).

5.2 Preparation of adenoviruses comprising at least one deletion in the E4 region, and preferably at least in the E1 and E4 regions.

a) Preparation by co-transfection with an E4 helper virus in 293 cells The principle is based on transcomplementation between a "mini-virus" (helper virus) expressing the E4 region and a recombinant virus deleted at least for E3 and E4. These viruses are obtained either by in vitro ligation, or after in vivo recombination, according to the following strategies: (i) The DNA of the Ad-dl324 virus (Thimmappaya et al., Cell 31 (1982) 543) and the plasmid pPY55, both digested with BamHI, are first ligated in vitro, then cotransfected with the plasmid pEAGal ( described in Example 2) in cells 293.

(ii) The DNA of the Ad-dl324 virus digested with EcoRI and the plasmid pPY55 digested with BamHI are contranfected, with the plasmid pE4Gal, in the 293 cells.

(iii) The DNA of the Ad5 adenovirus and the plasmid pPY55, both digested with BamHI, are ligated and then cotransfected with the plasmid pE4Gal in the 293 cells.

(iv) The DNA of the Ad5 adenovirus digested with EcoRI and the plasmid pPY55 digested with Bamffl are cotransfected with pEAGal in 293 cells.

Strategies (i) and (ii) make it possible to generate a recombinant adenovirus deleted for the El, E3 and E4 regions; strategies (iii) and (iv) make it possible to generate a recombinant adenovirus deleted for the E3 and E4 regions. Of course, the DNA of a recombinant virus deleted for the E1 region but expressing any transgene can be used in place of the DNA of the Ad-dl324 virus according to strategies (i) or (ii), for the purpose generate a recombinant virus deleted for the El, E3 and E4 regions and expressing said transgene.

b) Preparation by means of cell lines transcomplementing the functions

El and E4

The principle here is based on the fact that a cell line derived from a line expressing the E1 region, for example line 293, and also expressing at least the open phases ORF6 and ORF6 / 7 of the E4 region of the adenovirus Ad5 under the control of a promoter, for example inducible, is capable of transcomplementing for both the E1 and E4 regions of the adenovirus Ad5. Such lines were described in Example 4.

A recombinant virus deleted for the E1, E3 and E4 regions can therefore be obtained by in vitro ligation or by in vivo recombination according to the protocols described above. Whatever the protocol used to generate the deleted viruses at least for the E4 region, a cytopathic effect (indicating the production of recombinant viruses) was observed after transfection in the cells used. The cells were then harvested, disrupted by three freeze-thaw cycles in their supernatant, then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant thus obtained was then amplified on fresh cell culture (293 cells for protocols a) and 293 cells expressing the E4 region. for protocol b)). The viruses were then purified from plaques and their DNA is analyzed according to the Hirt method (cited above). Virus stocks are then prepared on a cesium chloride gradient.

Example 6

This example describes the preparation of defective recombinant adenoviruses according to the invention, the genome of which is deleted from the El, E3, L5 and E4 genes. These vectors are particularly advantageous since the L5 region codes for fiber, which is an extremely toxic protein for the cell. These adenoviruses were prepared from the plasmid p2, carrying the modified right part of the genome of the adenovirus Ad5, by co-transfection with different helper plasmids. They can also be prepared using a complementing line.

6.1 Construction of the plasmid p2

This plasmid contains the entire right region of the genome of the Ad5 adenovirus, starting from the BamHI site (21562), from which the fragment between the Xbal (28592) and April (35463) sites carrying the E3 genes has been deleted, L5 and E4. The plasmid p2 was obtained by cloning and ligation of the following fragments in the plasmid pIC19R linearized with BamHI and dephosphorylated (see FIG. 8):

- fragment of the Ad5 adenovirus genome comprised between the BamHI (21562) and Xbal (28592) sites, and

- right end of the Ad5 adenovirus genome (containing right 11TR), from the Avril site (35463), to the Bell site (BamHI compatible).

6.2. Construction of a helper plasmid (pITRL5-E4) carrying the L5 gene The helper plasmid pITRL5-E4 provides the E4 and L5 genes in trans. It corresponds to the plasmid pE4Gal described in Example 2, additionally containing the L5 region coding for the fiber under the control of the MLP promoter of the adenovirus Ad2, The plasmid pITRL5-E4 was constructed as follows (FIGS. 9 and 10 ):

A 58 bp oligonucleotide containing, in the 5'-3 'direction, a HindIII site, the fiber ATG and the fiber coding sequence up to the NdeI site at position 31089 of the Ad5 adenovirus genome was synthesized. The sequence of this oligonucleotide is given below, in the 5'-3 'orientation: AAGCTTATGAAGCGCGCAAGACCGTCTGAAGATACCTTCAACCCCGTGTATCCATATG

The HindIII sites in 5 ′ and Ndel in 3 ′ are underlined in single, the ATG of the fiber is underlined in double. An SspI-HindIII fragment containing the sequence of the MLP promoter followed by the leader tripartite of the adenovirus Ad2 was isolated from the plasmid pMLPIO (Ballay et al., (1987) UCLA Symposia on molecular and cellular biology, New series, Vol 70 , Robinson et al (Eds) New York, 481). This fragment was inserted with the 58 bp oligonucleotide described above between the NdeI and EcoRV sites of the plasmid pIC19R, to give an intermediate plasmid (see FIG. 9). The SacII (blunt rendered) -NdeI fragment of the plasmid pE4Gal (Example 2) was then introduced into the intermediate plasmid between the Sspl and Nddel sites to generate the plasmid pITRL5-E4 (FIG. 10).

6.3 Preparation of defective recombinant adenoviruses comprising a deletion in regions E1, E3, L5 and E4.

a) Preparation by co-transfection with a helper virus in 293 cells

The principle is based on the transcomplementation between a "mini-virus" (helper virus) expressing the L5 region or the E4 and L5 regions and a recombinant virus deleted at least for E3, E4 and L5.

These viruses were obtained either by in vitro ligation, or after in vivo recombination, according to the following strategies:

(i) The DNA of the Ad-dl324 virus (Thimmappaya et al., Cell 31 (1982) 543) and the plasmid p2, both digested with Bamffl, were first ligated in vitro, then cotransfected with the plasmid pITRL5-E4 helper (Example 6.2.) in cells 293.

(ii) The DNA of the Ad-dl324 virus digested with EcoRI and the plasmid p2 digested with BamHI are contranfected, with the plasmid pITRL5-E4, in the 293 cells.

(iii) The DNA of the Ad5 adenovirus and the plasmid p2, both digested with BamHI, are ligated and then cotransfected with the plasmid pITRL5-E4 in the 293 cells.

(iv) The DNA of the Ad5 adenovirus digested with EcoRI and the plasmid p2 digested with BamHI are cotransfected with pITRL5-E4 in the 293 cells. Strategies (i) and (ii) make it possible to generate a recombinant adenovirus deleted for the El, E3, L5 and E4 regions; strategies (iii) and (iv) make it possible to generate a recombinant adenovirus deleted for the E3, L5 and E4 regions. Of course, the DNA of a recombinant virus deleted for the E1 region but expressing any transgene can be used in place of the DNA of the Ad-dl324 virus according to strategies (i) or (ii), for the purpose generate a recombinant virus deleted for the El, E3, L5 and E4 regions and expressing said transgene.

The protocols described above can also be implemented with a helper virus carrying only the L5 region, using a cell line capable of expressing the E1 and E4 regions of the adenovirus, as described in Example 4 .

Furthermore, it is also possible to use a complementing line capable of expressing the E1, E4 and L5 regions, so as to completely eliminate the use of a helper virus. After the transfection, the viruses produced are recovered, amplified and purified under the conditions described in Example 5.

Claims

1. Defective recombinant adenovirus comprising:

- ITR sequences,

- A sequence allowing the packaging, - a heterologous DNA sequence, and in which the El gene and at least one of the E2, E4, L1-L5 genes is non-functional.

2. Adenovirus according to claim 1 characterized in that it is of human, animal, or mixed origin.

3. Adenovirus according to claim 2 characterized in that the adenoviruses of human origin are chosen from those classified in group C, preferably from adenoviruses of type 2 or 5 (Ad 2 or Ad 5).

4. Adenovirus according to claim 2 characterized in that the adenoviruses of animal origin are chosen from adenoviruses of canine, bovine, murine, ovine, porcine, avian and simian origin.

5. Adenovirus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the E1 and E4 genes at least are non-functional.

6. Adenovirus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is devoid of late genes.

7. Adenovirus according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises: - the ITR sequences,

- a sequence allowing the packaging,

- a heterologous DNA sequence, and

- a region carrying the gene or part of the E2 gene.

8. Adenovirus according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises: - the ITR sequences,

- a sequence allowing the packaging,

- a heterologous DNA sequence, and

- a region carrying the gene or part of the E4 gene.

9. Adenovirus according to claim 1 characterized in that its genome is deleted from the El, E3 and E4 genes.

10. Adenovirus according to claim 1 characterized in that its genome is deleted from the El, E3, L5 and E4 genes.

11. Adenovirus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a functional E3 gene under the control of a heterologous promoter.

12. Adenovirus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heterologous DNA sequence comprises one or more therapeutic genes and / or one or more genes coding for antigenic peptides.

13. Adenovirus according to claim 12 characterized in that the therapeutic gene is chosen from the genes encoding enzymes, blood derivatives, hormones, lymphokines (interleukins, interferons, TNF, etc.), growth factors, neurotransmitters or their synthetic precursors or enzymes, trophic factors (BDNF, CNTF, NGF, IGF, GMF, aFGF, bFGF, NT3, NT5, etc.), apolipoproteins (ApoAI, ApoAIV, ApoE, etc.), dystrophin or a minidystrophin , tumor suppressor genes or genes coding for factors involved in coagulation (VU, VHI, IX factors, etc.).

14. Adenovirus according to claim 12 characterized in that the therapeutic gene is an antisense gene or sequence, the expression of which in the target cell makes it possible to control the expression of genes or the transcription of cellular mRNA.

15. Adenovirus according to claim 12 characterized in that the gene codes for an antigenic peptide capable of generating in humans an immune response against microorganisms or viruses.

16. Adenovirus according to claim 15 characterized in that the gene codes for an antigenic peptide specific for the epstein barr virus, the HIV virus, the hepatitis B virus, the pseudo-rabies virus, or even specific for tumors.

17. Adenovirus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heterologous DNA sequence also comprises sequences allowing expression of the therapeutic gene and / or of the gene coding for the antigenic peptide in the infected cell.

18. Adenovirus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heterologous DNA sequence comprises, upstream of the therapeutic gene, a signal sequence directing the therapeutic product synthesized in the secretory pathways of the target cell.

19. Cell line infectable with an adenovirus comprising, integrated into its genome, the functions necessary for the complementation of a defective recombinant adenovirus according to one of claims 1 to 18.

20. Cell line according to claim 19 characterized in that it comprises in its genome at least the El and E2 genes of an adenovirus.

21. Cell line according to claim 20, characterized in that it also comprises the E4 gene of an adenovirus.

22. Cell line according to claim 19 characterized in that it comprises in its genome at least the El and E4 genes of an adenovirus.

23. Cell line according to claims 19 to 22 characterized in that it also comprises the glucocorticoid receptor gene.

24. Cell line according to claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the E2 and E4 genes are placed under the control of an inducible promoter.

25. Cell line according to claim 24 characterized in that the inducible promoter is the LTR promoter of MMTV.

26. Cell line according to claims 19 to 25, characterized in that the E2 gene codes for the protein 72K.

27. Cell line according to claims 19 to 26, characterized in that it is obtained from line 293.

28. Pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one defective recombinant adenovirus according to one of claims 1 to 18.

29. Pharmaceutical composition according to claim 28 comprising a recombinant adenovirus according to one of claims 5 to 10.

30. Pharmaceutical composition according to claims 28 or 29 comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for an injectable formulation.